Rafael Padilla, who is accused of hitting and killing a man in a wheelchair on May 7, 2018, appears in this booking photo. (Austin Police Dept.)

Police say driver hit, killed man in wheelchair

By Spectrum News Staff
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May 15, 2018 @4:36 PM

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AUSTIN, Texas -- The Austin Police Department on Tuesday reported a man is in custody for a fatal crash that occurred early on May 7.

According to police, about 2:10 a.m. that day, 28-year-old Rafael Padilla was driving a Jeep Cherokee in the southbound right lane of N. IH 35 service road near Wonsley Drive when he struck a man in a wheelchair.

The victim, who died, was identified as 60-year-old Robert Copeland.

Copeland was in the right lane of the service road when the collision occurred. He died at the scene. Police said Padilla fled the scene and was later located via a CrimeStoppers tip.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information was urged to call APD Vehicular Homicide Unit detectives at 512-974-3761.